Docs by the Sea 2023
Programme Description
Docs by the Sea is an Indonesia-based lab and pitching forum platform for Indonesian and Asian documentary filmmakers brought by In-Docs and The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenparekraf) since 2017.
In the Docs by the Sea 2023, Storytelling and Producing Labs will be held online, Editing Labs will be held partly online and offline, and our forum will be entirely held offline; this is subject to change depending on the COVID-19 regulations and recommendations for Indonesia.
Our programme offers mentorship and pitching opportunities which aim to:
- Forge dynamic exchanges between Asian filmmakers and leading international documentary industry figures.
- Connect the international documentary industry with talents and stories from Asia.
- Improve the competitiveness of Asian documentary films.
- Build a supportive ecosystem for documentary films in Asia.
- Empower critical voices that reflect on the reality of Asia.
The labs will be guided by a total of 8 mentors, with the proportion of:
- 3 Storytelling Lab mentors
- 2 Producing Lab mentors
- 3 Editing Lab mentors
Guideline
- Agree on the lab format of Docs by the Sea.
- Attend the opening session of Docs by the Sea according to the schedule and invitation.
- Be present and participate (online and/or offline) fully as a participant in their respective lab and pitch training according to the schedule and technical guidelines.
- Share and exchange experiences, suggestions, feedback, comments, and questions to assigned mentors in a group setting, individual one-on-one setting (and pitch rehearsal setting).
Labs
Storytelling Lab
This lab will facilitate 12 selected projects through several sessions: Big Group Sessions, Small Group Sessions, and Individual Sessions. This lab will help filmmakers to understand the story they are making, how to tell it, and to whom. Storytelling Lab is an excellent space for directors and producers to develop their projects and sharpen their creative vision to tell potential, urgent stories in the region and pitch them to an international forum. At the end of the Docs by the Sea program, all participants will be assisted with two pitch training sessions.
All participants are expected to prepare their project materials such as a trailer, long treatment, and any additional film footage to be presented for the mentor during the session.
Editing Lab
This lab will facilitate 6 selected projects with two types of sessions: Big Group Sessions and Individual Sessions. This lab will provide filmmakers with intensive consultation in shaping their rough cut into a strong final-cut. Editing Lab is intended for directors and editors who need to tune their edit’s focus, pacing, and tone and pitch their project to an international forum. At the end of the Docs by the Sea Program, participants will be assisted with a pitch training session.
All participants are expected to prepare their project materials, such as rough cut, shoot list, and any additional footage to be presented for the mentor during the session.
Creative Producing Lab
A total of 8 selected projects will acquire lessons beyond production administrations and technicalities, such as creative deliberation and networking skills. This lab works with emerging producers and provides precious industry insights on funding, distribution, negotiation, contracts, and handy skills necessary to navigate the market. This lab’s participants will not receive pitch training as they will not pitch in Docs by the Sea Forum, but will be eligible for 1-on-1 meetings.
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Editing Lab (Online) | Monday, 17 July 2023 | Tuesday, 25 July 2023 |
| Creative Producing Lab (Online) | Monday, 17 July 2023 | Wednesday, 26 July 2023 |
| Storytelling Lab (Online) | Monday, 17 July 2023 | Thursday, 27 July 2023 |
| Editing Lab (Offline) | Friday, 1 September 2023 | Sunday, 3 September 2023 |
| Editing Lab Pitch Exercise (Offline) | Sunday, 3 September 2023 | Sunday, 3 September 2023 |
| Storytelling Lab Pitch Exercise (Offline) | Sunday, 3 September 2023 | Sunday, 3 September 2023 |
| Pitching Forum | Monday, 4 September 2023 | Thursday, 7 September 2023 |